18 min readUpdated Jan 2026
ISO 17025 Accreditation Guide for Testing Laboratories
The international standard for demonstrating technical competence. Here's what it requires and how LIMS supports genuine operational excellence.
ISO 17025:2017 Structure
Section 4
General Requirements — Impartiality and confidentiality
Section 5
Structural Requirements — Legal entity, organization, documentation
Section 6
Resource Requirements — Personnel, facilities, equipment, traceability
Section 7
Process Requirements — Methods, sampling, handling, records, reporting
Section 8
Management System — Quality management system requirements
Key Requirements & LIMS Support
Personnel Competence (6.2)
Track training, competency assessments, authorizations. System prevents unauthorized personnel from performing tests.
Equipment Management (6.4)
Equipment inventory, calibration schedules, maintenance records. Auto-alerts before calibration expires.
Method Validation (7.2)
Method documentation with version control, validation protocol tracking, ongoing performance monitoring.
Validity of Results (7.7)
QC sample scheduling, Levey-Jennings charts, Westgard rules, proficiency testing tracking.
Why Pursue ISO 17025?
Benefits
- • International recognition through mutual agreements
- • Regulatory compliance for many industries
- • Customer confidence in result validity
- • Competitive advantage for contracts/tenders
- • Genuine process improvement
Commitment Required
- • 6-12 months for initial accreditation
- • Ongoing maintenance and surveillance
- • Documentation effort
- • Internal audit program
- • Continuous improvement culture
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